I have seen helicopters perform rolls, loops, hammerhead, and the like, but can any helicopter sustain inverted flight even momentarily?
2006-10-25 16:39:26 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
I have seen model helicopters hover inverted, so this isn't a question about whether it is aerodynamically possible, it is.
I just want to know if there is any full-sized helicopter that can do it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndji_zqfs98
2006-10-25 17:23:41 · update #1
IN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION; YES, RIGHT NOW THE U.S. AIR-FORCE AND THE BRITISH AIR-FORCE ARE TEST-FLYING AN UP-GRADED HELICOPTER, WHICH IS IN THE FAMILY OF THE "APACHEE AND A VERSION OF THE LYNX HELICOPTER'S", WHICH CAN NOT ONLY DO A FULL LOOP, BUT CAN ACTUALLY STAY INVERTED MOMENTARILY, BUT YOU KNOW YOURSELF THAT HELICOPTER'S WHICH REMAIN INVERTED TOO LONG, WILL CERTAINLY FALL OUT OF THE SKY LIKE A ROCK.
2006-10-26 07:08:30 · answer #1 · answered by PLAYFULL 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Think about it. The chopper is kept airborn by the rotating blades creating higher pressure below them than above them. Upside down, assuming you could get it to turn upside down, the chopper is being forced to rapidly accelerate towards the ground so you end up in a powered free-fall. Not pleasant.
2006-10-25 17:13:17 · answer #2 · answered by Starman 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If the main rotor blades were reversible like airplane props, it might be possible. They are not reversible.
2006-10-25 17:37:11 · answer #3 · answered by eferrell01 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It makes no sense really. The blades are to heavy. G force has only a limited effect on gravity. Eventually gravity takes over and weight is relevant.
2006-10-25 16:47:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
No.
2006-10-25 16:41:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋